Loose-leaf binder



Sept. 9, 1941. E. E. LAKSO LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed Oct. -ll, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Elmo lillafiis'o dflw ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Eino E. Lakso, Fitchburg, Mass, assignor to Clarence W. Vogt, Norwalk, Conn.

Application October 11, 1938, Serial No. 234,341

'75 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in loose-leaf binders of the prongtype for holding sheets properly perforated to receive the prongs.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved binder, which is of comparatively simple, efiicient and durable construction, and which permits the series of sheets to be laid open for more ready reference, and also permits ready removal or insertion of the sheets.

As a feature of the present invention, the binder comprises a fiatback, a pair of hinged covers adapted to lie in the plane of said back in open position, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, and means for automatically and relatively moving said two rows of prongs endwise upon opening one or both of said covers. Thus there is afforded extra room at the inner edges of the sheets, and the sheets may be opened up to flatter position for easy reference thereto. At the same time said prongs are retained in sheet holding position, but permit said sheets to be moved along the prongs toward either cover.

As another feature, the movement of each row of prongs by the opening and closing of its corresponding cover is effected independently of the movement of the other cover, so that if the binder is in closed position resting on one of its covers, the relative expanding movement of the two rows of prongs is eifected by merely opening the other cover.

As a further feature, the two opposed rows of prongs are so mounted and so correlated with respect to the operation of the covers, as to obtain maximum expanding movement of said As another feature, the straight prongs of each row are affixed to a support which is pivotally mounted on its corresponding cover, means being provided for holding the straight prongs of the two opposed rows in a single plane in either closed or opened expanded position of the binder,

so that the sheets cannot be removed from the binder, said means being adapted to be rendered inoperative, to permit each row to swing into position substantially at right angles to its corresponding opened cover, whereby the sheets refree for sheet insertion or removal.

As a further feature, the holding means above referred to holds the straight prongs of the two opposed rows in a single plane in overlapping relationship when the binder is open, so that the sheets cannot be removed from the binder in this position, and means is provided for separating the two rows of prongs beyond overlapping relationship in open position of the binder, to permit the prongs of each row to swing into position substantially at right angles to their corresponding cover.

As a further feature, the prongs of one row are made to telescope respectively with respect to the prongs of the other row, the outer tubular prongs of each row alternating with the inner prongs of said row. This construction serves to hold each pair of telescoped prongs in alignment parallel to the back until the two rows of prongs are separated beyond telescopic or overlapping relationship. Furthermore, the alternate positioning of the larger outer prongs in each row serves to support the sheets with the prong receiving perforations thereof centered with respect to the inner prongs, whereby the opposed tubular prongs may be easily telescoped onto said inner prongs without mutilating the sheets around said perforations.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a binder in closed position and embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the binder with one cover section thereof in open position,

Fig. 3 is an end view of the binder in open po sition,

Fig. 4 is a section taken in a plane at right angles to the planes of the back and cover with the binder closed,

Fig. 5 is an inside face view of the empty binder in open position,

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5,

Fig. '7 is a transverse section through the empty binder in open position, and showing the two opposed rows of prongs separated sufficiently to permit said prongs to swing into upright position with respect to the covers,

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 7, but showing the two rows of'prongs extending upright substantially at right angles to the covers, and showing the stacked sheets in dot and .dash lines,

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 10 is a detailed perspective of the means for pivotally supporting the prongs with respect to the covers in the position shown in Fig. 3.

In the specific embodiment of the invention shown, the binder comprises a flat rigid nonbendable back H], desirably in the form of a metal plate, covered on its outer face with a suitable fabric (not shown), and a pair of comparatively rigid covers H, hinged to the respective side edges of said back, and adapted in closed position of the binder to extend at right angles to said back as shown in Fig. 1, and in open position to extend in the plane of said back as shown in Fig. 3. The pivotal connections between the covers H and the back Hi include hinges l3 and I4. One of the hinges as for instance the hinge M has spaced pintle engaging sections l5, integral with or secured 'to its corresponding cover by any suitable means as for instance leaf plates 16 and rivets' H. The other pintle engaging sections of this hinge are integral with the back- I E] or are secured thereto for instance by leaf plates 2! soldered 'to'the back. The other hinge l3 has pintle engaging sleeves integral with the other cover or secured to it by a leafplate I6, and has its other sleeves carried by a plurality of leaf plates 22 and 22a, slidably attached to said'back in a manner and for the purpose hereinafter described.

Pivotally carried by ach cover ll -is a pair of prong holders or frames 23 and 24, desirably stamped from sheet metal into the form of a yoke, and each comprising a longitudinal bar section 25, and a pair of end flange sections 26, extending transversely thereof, and pivotally connected at'2! to the inner sides of brackets 28. These brackets '28 extend up from and are connected to the covers H, and desirably are formed as end flanges of the outerleaf plates IE or the covers.

. Afiixed to each of the pr'ongjframes 23 and 24 is a row of spaced, desirably straight sheet retaining prongs 30 and 3!, extending transversely of the frame bar 25, and overlapping the prongs of the other row at their outer ends when the binder is in closed or open position. In the specific form shown, the parallel prongs 33 and 3! of each row extend in endwise alignment with the prongs of the other row, and are telescoped with respect to said latter prongs in closed or open position of the binder. To provide for this telescopic interengagement of the two opposed rows of prongs, the outer prongs 30 aretubular and telescope over the inner prongs 3!, which are desirablyof solid bar sto'ckl Theouter and inner prongs 3i! and 3 are desirably alternately arranged in each row to center the prong'receiving perforations of the sheets A on the inner prongs 3! of smaller diameter, so that the outer prongs 39 will not mutilate said sheets around said perforations when inserted in said perforations and telescoped over said {inner prongs 31.

The outer tubular pron'gs '39 are secured to their corresponding supporting :frames 23 and 24 by any suitable means as for instance stub pins '3'4', press-fitted 'into'or soldered on the outer ends of said prongs, and riveted or otherwise reduced ends of saidprongs onto said frames.

In order to facilitate the engagement of the aligned telescoped prongs, each tubular prong 30 'is'out away atone side of its free end to form a trough extension 35, against which the free end of the oppcsed'inner prong 3| may rest during the process of merging said prongs into telescopic relationship. The prongs 30 of one cover are cut away on the upper side, and those of the other cover are cut away on the under side. To facilitate entry of the outer prongs 30 into the aligned perforations of a stack of sheets A, the outer ends of said prongs are desirably chamfered.

The lengths of the prongs 3i) and SI are such, that when the covers are in closed position as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, each prong will extend almost the full distance between the covers. In this closed position, the bars of the prong frames 23 and 24 will lie closely adjacent to and in lapping relationship with the hinge plates l6, cut-outs .36 in said plates permitting reception of the upset riveted end of the prongs. The prongs will lie in .a single plane parallel to the back it, and the brackets 28 will hav their pivotal mountings 21 spaced inwardly from the side edges of said back as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

As the covers are swung into open position,

' they will carry the brackets 28 with them, thereby said'sheets as shown in Fig. 3.

causing theirpivotal mountings 21 to move outwardly'frorn the side edges of the back It), until said covers are in the plane of said back as shown in Fig. 3. As these pivotal mountings 21 are moved outwardly from their original positions, they will carry the prong frames 23 and 24 outwardly with respect to the side edges of the back it, thereby separating them to a greater distance, and moving the two rows of prongs outwardly endwise in opposite directions while remaining substantially parallel tothe back l0.

In order to effect a smooth slide movement of the leaf plates l6 over the frame bars 25 asthe covers H are opened and closed, the edges of said bars nearest the hinges are desirably curved inwardly to form guide lips 31.

Each bracket 28 desirably serves as a limiting stop for the cover H in'its opening movement, and for that purpose is provided with a slit 38 forming a tongue 39, which is bent inwardly out of the general plane .of said bracket'and into the plan of the corresponding flange 26 of the prong holder, to engage said flange as shown in Fig. '10, when the cover has reached the planeof the back IE These brackets '28 are also desirably so formed and so positioned as to present edges 40 engaging the back Io, when the covers reach closed position at right angles to said back as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, thereby stopping further closing movements of said covers. As shown, there are projections i! on the tongues :39 to increase the length of the stop edges 40.

The opposed movement of the two rows of prongs away from each other caused by the opening of the binder as described, will afford extra room for the sheets A at their base, thereby permitting ready and convenient reference to This expanding movement of the prongs however is not sufficient to bring the aligned prongs out of telescoping relationship, and thus the sheets will be retained onsaid prongs, and can be turned toward either means for holdingsaid prongs in sheet retaining position'parallel to the back 10.

Means are provided for freeing the prongs, so that they can swing into upright position shown in Fig. 8 to permit removal or insertion of sheets. For that purpose, one of the covers II, as for instance the left hand cover, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, is movable outwardly with respect to the back ID, to carry the prongs secured to the prong frame 23, endwise beyond telescopic relationship with the other opposed prongs. To permit this movement, the two leaf plates 22 of the hinge l3 are slidable in respective guides 45, soldered or otherwise affixed to the base I0, while the middle leaf plate 22a is slidable in a guide 46 similarly secured to said base.

The extensible cover is normally locked against outward slide movement by a latch bar 41 extending along the base H3, and having its outer end 48 projecting beyond the sheets sufficiently to serve as a finger piece for convenient manipulation. In normal open or closed position of the binder, the inner end 49 of the latch bar 41 acting as a catch, engages a lug 50 on the hinge plate 22a. This lug 50 may constitute a tongue, struck out from said plate 22a, and extending through a slot 51 in the guide 46. The latch bar 41 is pivoted on a bracket 52, secured to the back I0, and the end 48 is urged upwardly as shown in Fig. 9 by a spring 53, to maintain the catch end 49 of said bar in engagement with the lug 55. When the finger end 48 of the latch bar is pressed towards the back iii, the catch end 49 of said bar is raised out of engagement with the lug 59, so that the extensible cover H is permitted to slide outwardly until the two rows of prongs are freed from their telescopic interengagement. This outward slide movement of the extensible cover H is limited by the engagement of the lug 513 with the left hand end of the guide slot as shown in Figs. 5 and 8. When the prongs have been freed as indicated, they will swing under the lever action of the sheets into upright position shown in Fig. 8, with said sheets divided in two stacks resting flat on their respective covers.

In order to permit return sliding movement of the extensible cover to its original normal position, the catch end 49 of the latch bar is transversely slitted at 55 to form a tongue 56, curved upwardly from the general plane of said bar to permit the lug 50 to pass thereunder during this return movement, until said lug is latched again into the position shown in Fig. 5. As the extensible cover is slid into its original position, the two rows of prongs are manually held in aligned position shown in Fig. 7, with the inner prongs 3| engaging the trough extensions 35 of the opposed outer prongs 30, so that continued inward movement of said cover will re-establish telescopic relationship of the two rows of prongs.

It should be noted that there are no toggle joints or other complicated mechanisms over the back It), thereby permitting the prongs to be positioned closely adjacent to said back in open or closed position of the binder. Furthermore, each cover is swingable about its hinged support independently of the other cover, so that if the binder is lying in closed position on one of its covers, the expanding movement of the top row of prongs is effected by merely lifting the other top cover as shown in Fig. 2. The limiting stop engagement between the prong holder 23 and the brackets 28 as already explained, will maintain the co-planar relationship of the top cover with the back It], so that continued swinging movement of said top cover will swing the back l0 into position flat n the supporting table with the two covers in the same plane therewith, as shown in Fig. 3, this continued movement causing at the same time expanding movement of the bottom row of prongs.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction, and it will be understood that the form illustrated is only one of many which might be constructed within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patcut is:

1. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs extending across said back, a pivotal connection between each row of prongs and a respective cover, said pivotal connections being movable laterally in respect to the cover hinges upon the opening movement of said covers to thereby move said prongs substantially endwise, to alford extra space for the sheets on said prongs, means for holding said prongs across said back in open position of the binder, and a single means disposed on the inner side of said back near the center of its widthfor releasing said holding means to permit both rows of prongs to swing about their pivotal mountings into position transversely of the plane of said back.

2. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs extending across said back between said covers, and overlapping at their free ends, means operable upon opening movement of one of said covers for moving said two rows of prongs apart, but not out of overlapping relationship, means for holding said rows of prongs in the same plane in open position of said binder, and means secured to the inner side of said back for releasing said holding means to permit said two rows of prongs to be moved out of overlapping relationship and swung into separate planes, whereby sheets may be inserted in or removed from said binder.

3. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers, hinge connections between said covers and said back, a prong support pivoted to each cover, a row of straight sheet retaining prongs carried by each support, the prongs of one row telescoping with those of the other row in a plane parallel with said back, latch means normally locking said hinge connections against movement away from each other in the plane of the back, said means when released permitting said prongs to move out of telescoping relationship, and to swing into parallel planes at right angles to the back.

4. A loose leaf binder comprising a fiat nonextensible back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, a slide connection between one of said covers and said back to permit said latter cover to slide with respect to said back, and two rows of sheet retaining prongs, one pivotally supported on each cover.

5. A loose leaf binder comprising a flat nonextensible back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, a slide connection between one of said covers and said back to permit said latter cover to slide with respect to said back, latch means for holding said latter cover against slide movement with respect to said back, and a row of sheet retaining prongs pivotally supported on said latter'cover.

6. A'loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, two rows of sheet retaining prongs, each row being pivotally supported on a corresponding cover and extending across said back; in overlapping relationship, means for moving said rows of prongs relatively apart upon opening movement of one of said covers, means for holding said prongs in overlapping relationship across said back as said latter cover is opened, a slide connection between one of said covers and said back permitting said latter cover to be slid outwardly with respect to said back, and means to release said holding means to permit outward sliding movement of said latter cover, whereby said prongs are permitted to swing about their pivotal supports into position transversely of the plane of said back.

7. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs pivotally supported on said covers respectively, and adapted in closed position of the binder to extend between said covers and across said back in overlapping relationship, and a slide connection between one of said covers and said back to permit said latter cover to slide outwardly with respect to said back, to move the two rows of prongs relatively apart beyond overlapping relationship, and to permitsaid prongs to swing about their pivotal supports in position substantially at right angles to the plane of said back.

8. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a

pair of covers hinged to said back, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, means for pivotally supporting said two rows of prongs on said covers respectively, and means co-acting with said latter means for limiting the open and closed position of said covers.

9. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs pivotally mounted on said covers, with their free ends in overlapping relationship across said back in closed position or" the binder, means for moving said two rows of prongs relatively apart in a plane substantially parallel to said back, means for holding said prongs in overlapping position across said back in open position of the binder, and means disposed on the inner side of said back inwardly of the plane of said prongs, and spaced a substantial distance inwardly from the hinge edges of said back for releasing said holding means, to

permit said two rows of prongs to be moved out I of overlapping relationship and swung into separate planes,

IOQA loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs pivotally mounted on said covers, with their free ends in overlapping relationship across said back in open position of the binder, means for moving said two rows of prongs relatively apart in a plane substantially parallel to said back, means for holding said prongs in overlapping position across said back in open position of the binder, and means including a finger piece mounted on the inner face of said back for releasing said holding means, to permit said two rows of prongs to be moved out of overlapping relationship and swung into separate planes.

11. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs pivotally mounted on said covers, with their free ends in overlapping relationship across said back in open pos1- tion of the binder, means for movingsaid two rows of prongs relatively apart in a plane substantially parallel to said back, means for holding said prongs in overlapping position across said back in open position of the binder, and means including a finger piece lever mounted on the inner face of said back substantially central, ly cf the width thereof, and adapted to be pressed towards said back for releasing said holding means, to permit said two rows of prongs to be moved out of overlapping relationship and swung into separate planes.

12. A loose leaf binder comprising a substantially fiat back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, and adapted to lie in the plane thereof when said binder is in open position, sheet retaining prongs extending between said covers, means automatically responsive to the opening of one of said covers, to move said prongs substantially endwise to afford extra space for the sheets on said prongs, and means spaced from said prongs and operable when said latter cover reaches the plane of said back for preventing further opening movement of said latter cover beyond said plane, whereby further opening movement of said latter cover will cause said latter cover and said back to move together in unison.

13. A loose leaf binder comprising a substantially fiat back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, and adapted to lie in the plane thereof when said binder is in open position, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs extending between said covers, means automatically responsive to the opening movement of either one of said covers, to move said two rows of prongs apart substantially endwise to afford extra space for the sheets on said prongs, and means spaced from said prongs and operable when either one of said covers reaches the plane of said back for preventing further opening movement of said cover beyond said plane, whereby further opening movement of said cover will cause said coverand said back to move together in unison.

14. A loose leaf binder comprising a substantially fiat back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs extending transversely between said covers and overlapping at their free ends when said binder is in closed position, means automatically operable upon opening movement of either one of said covers for moving the two rows of prongs relatively endwise apart, to afford extra space for the sheets on said prongs, means for holding said prongs in overlapping relationship in open position of said binder, and a single means on said back for releasing said holding means.

15. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs extending across said back, a pivotal connection between each row of prongs and a respective cover, said pivotal connections being movable rotatably about the cover hinges upon the opening movement of said covers to thereby move said prongs substantially endwise, means for holding said prongs across said back in open position of the binder, and a single means accessible for operation on the inner side of said back for releasing said holding means to permit both rows of prongs to swing about their pivotal mountings into position transversely of the plane of said back.

EINO E. LAKSO. 

